Nora Reda

Foundations Program Graduate
Yoga Therapist
Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario
Website: Vital Sphere

Since starting the Breathing Deeply Program, I have gained a ton of confidence working with students in a one-on-one therapeutic setting. I have been privileged to be able to conduct private sessions with clients regularly, impacting many lives. 

When I applied and enrolled, I was experiencing a challenging time in my life but there was a deep desire and an inner knowing of what I needed to do, so I found a way. The online structure of the Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy Program afforded me a convenience that other programs did not; as a matter of fact, I couldn’t have done it any other way. I started this program from my yoga studio in Europe and have since moved back to North America. Breathing Deeply is a school where I’ve felt welcome, heard, and supported since the beginning.

I trusted Brandt from the first time we spoke. There was an aura about him that made me feel welcome and more confident. As time went by,  I kept being reassured that yoga therapy didn’t have to be overly complicated and that my goals were attainable. The Breathing Deeply teachings have made me so much more aware of the nuances of the client-therapist relationship along with how to communicate with a wide variety of people. My own teaching has become more focused and people who have turned to me for help are able to trust the process fully. I was so pleased to see how quickly my new students accelerated in their healing. 

The most valuable part of the program for me was learning how to assess clients properly. The initial meeting is a crucial determinant in the client-therapist relationship and can also, ultimately, affect the outcome. Additionally, the live time with Brandt during Q&As has served as an invaluable resource and always left me feeling motivated to learn more.

One client case that I am particularly proud of goes back to my time in Europe. I worked with a woman who was suffering from Marfan Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue. It can also be associated with a life-threatening condition where the main artery in the heart may rupture, causing sudden death even in fit people, however, my client did not have the latter condition so she was able to move around freely. She had been through a lot of life changes and challenges that resulted in her feeling mentally and emotionally fragile. For her, the spiritual aspect of yoga was crucial. She also found healing in Pranayama. Her aim was to strengthen both her nervous-system and her body so that she could get pregnant and I am very pleased to share that she still continues to practice daily and is now carrying a new life inside her.

The 2020 pandemic has forced me (and many other yoga teachers) into the digital space. I have set up a website and a social group that is focused on “holistic health and fitness” with the aim to work alongside other professionals whose  life’s work is to help people attain optimal well-being in a natural way. When I joined, I was eager to build on my existing knowledge and experience. I have received all the tools necessary to start on this journey as a Yoga Therapist.